54th Hunger Marchers' Day observed; AMSU readies for another Hunger March movement
Source: IT News

Imphal, August 27 2019: All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) today reiterated its stand to fight against the price hike of rice in the state.

"We stand for another Hunger March movement", President of AMSU, Peter Laishram said while talking at the 54th Hunger Marchers' Day observance.

From early morning students, activist and volunteers of AMSU today gathered at Pishum Chingamacha paying floral tributes to photos of the departed four student martyrs at Martyrs students' memorial site where the martyrs namely Oinam Nabakumar, Laishram Chaobal, Nongmeikapam Pramodini and Waikhom Nilamani sacrificed their lives on this day of 1965 during the mass uprising against artificial food scarcity in the state.

54th Hunger Marchers' Day observed; AMSU readies for another Hunger March movement

Later thousands of students marched a rally from Pishum Chingamacha in connection with the observance of Hunger Marchers' Day popularly known as Chaklam Khongchat to Thangmeiband DM college of Arts ground where the main function was held.

Speaking as the President of the function Peter Laishram said that the students' movement regarding artificial famine in 1965 popularly known as Hunger Marchers day is still relevant in today's society as the price of rice and other essential commodities has skyrocketed.

The farmers still fear for a famine like situation in next year because of insufficient rainfall.

So the government should declare the state as being hit by drought, he added.

Pointing out the act of the government for not declaring the state as being hit by draught as unfortunate he urged the government to give necessary solutions and remedial solutions for the farmers and added that AMSU is ready for another movement similar to Chaklam Khongchat.

Regarding the peace talk between NSCN IM and Government of India where the framework agreement is near for an end but was kept secret to all other important stakeholders he stressed that the talks and agreement should not have any provisions regarding any administrative arrangement based in community lines.

He further said that the agreement should not make any political arrangement which will disregard and disrespect Manipur and its legislative assembly.

54th Hunger Marchers' Day observed; AMSU readies for another Hunger March movement

In order to help the NSCN IM and the GOI in their peace talk Peter urged to disclose the points agreed between the two in the framework agreement of 2015 .

Peter affirmed that AMSU will stand firm and will fight if the framework agreement violates and distorts the integrity of Manipur.

Questioning on why the state government became a silent and mute spectator when the flag of NSCN IM was hoisted in the Independence day celebration on 14 August where the same government declared as an outlaw organisation Peter said that he felt surprised by such act of the government and strongly condemned against it.

He appealed the people of the state to stay alert and be ready to fight for the cause of Manipur.

Highlighting the works of AMSU General Secretary Bipinchandra Ahanthem said that AMSU has been spearheading various important issues and movements.

He added that Foreigners issue has been fighting by AMSU since the 80's and still continuing as ILP movement.

Questioning about price rise of rice he urged whether the government is preparing for another artificial famine.

He concluded that the younger generation should learnt from the sacrifice the martyrs have done for the people of Manipur.